BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Nov. 6, 2009) - University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer has been fined $30,000 by the Southeastern Conference for his public comments concerning officiating, Commissioner Mike Slive announced Friday.

The fine is the first since the conference's Athletic Directors, with the full support of the league's Presidents and Chancellors, voted to have all violations of SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 enforced by suspensions and fines.

"Coach Meyer has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics," Slive said. "SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that the coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from public criticism of officials. The league's Athletics Directors and Presidents and Chancellors have made it clear that negative public comments on officiating are not acceptable."

The play in question occurred in the first quarter of Florida's 41-17 win over the Bulldogs. Georgia's Nick Williams hit Florida quarterback Tim Tebow after Tebow handed the ball off to tailback Jeff Demps.

"That should have been a penalty, in my opinion," Meyer said. "It should have been. You have to protect the quarterbacks. It was right in front of the referee. I'm not sure how (the SEC) is going to handle that."

The fine is a dramatic development in what's been an ugly relationship between the SEC and the league coaches.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen have each received letters of reprimand this season for criticizing officials. The complaints came after losses to either Florida or Alabama.

After Kiffin suggested the officials were protecting top-ranked Florida and third-ranked Alabama, Slive worked to receive the authority to fine and suspend all those who publiclly criticize officials.

The SEC has also suspended one officiating crew for two games after they were found to have wrongly made critical late-game calls that were pivotal in the outcome of the game.

The league's ADs and school presidents supported Slive's initiative, the SEC said in making the announcement.